Sankt Alban (Ammersee)
- Freestyle, Freeride
- Best for
- Beginner
- Skill Level
- Flat, Shallow
- Spot Type
- Busy
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Sankt Alban (Ammersee) is a low-profile, pay-access wind sports spot reached via the Sankt Alban campground (at the northern edge of town). The launch is a very shallow sloping gravel area with a large standing section, which creates calm, flat conditions and reduces the risk of wave impacts at the shoreline—making it especially suitable for beginners practicing starts and basic maneuvers. Wind is most associated with East conditions, and the spot is described as the classic East-wind location on Lake Ammersee. Typical wind strength is reported in the ~10–25 knot range, with one description noting steady wind and another noting moderate gusts. Thermal breezes may occur on hot summer days, but they’re generally described as too weak/rare to rely on for planning. The bay layout adds specific safety considerations: a long wooden jetty and several anchored boats are present, and swimmers use the bathing area during summer. Kitesurfing is strictly forbidden on the entire Ammersee, so wind sessions are effectively limited to non-kite disciplines. Rescue availability is reported as limited; emergency services can be reached via 112, and Wasserwacht presence is often reported during summer weekends. For gear and access, expect easy launch steps but very shallow depths close to shore. Windsurfing is the main focus, while wingfoiling is feasible for intermediate riders who are willing to walk out past the shallow gravel shelf to reach deeper water. Parking and access can become busy during sunny weekends and the July/August swimming season.
- Classic East-wind setup with large standing area
- Very shallow gravel shelf and easy launch for beginner practice
- Jetty and anchored boats in the bay require extra caution
- Kitesurfing prohibited on the entire lake
- Large standing area and easy launch conditions make it strong for learning and freestyle practice.
- Classic East-wind orientation supports beginner-to-freeride progression.
- Clean freshwater and no shore break are reported.
- Wingfoiling access is possible, though foilers need to clear the shallow shelf.
- Very shallow water shelf and anchored boats/jetty require careful positioning.
- Kitesurfing is prohibited on the entire lake.
- Wind reliability is reported as low and parking can be crowded in peak summer and sunny weekends.
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- E, ESE
- Wind Range
- 10–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Thermal — East-wind classic on Lake Ammersee; thermal effects are mentioned but generally weak/rarely planable without larger gear.
- Reliability
- low
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Reported as steady by one provider; another provider describes moderate gusts.
- Best Months
- April, May, September, October
- Shadow Zones
- Sheltered from West and Southwest winds by hilly terrain and trees behind the beach.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Flat, Shallow
- Beach
- Pebble — Pebble/gravel shore.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Flat — Reported as flat water.
- Launch
- Small — Very shallow sloping gravel with a large standing area; launch can be from a grassy lawn (Liegewiese) or gravel beach.
- Launch Difficulty
- Easy
Through the year
Very crowded with swimmers and sunbathers in July and August.
Thunderstorms are common in June and July and can bring sudden, dangerous wind shifts.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Freeride and freestyle spot with a large standing area; characterized as a classic East-wind location with very shallow, sloping gravel for easy practice starts and maneuvers (especially for beginners).
- Sail Sizes
- 5.5–8.5 m²
Suitable for freeride and freestyle; foilers must walk out past the shallow gravel shelf to reach deep water.
- Foil Friendly
- Yes
- Min Depth
- Approximately 50-100 meters from shore to clear the shallow shelf.
- Wing Sizes
- 4–6 m²
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Sankt Alban (Ammersee) in the full forecast view.
Sankt Alban (Ammersee) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 2–14 ktsGusts 29 kts
- Direction
- WSW254°
- Strongest day
- Sun, Oct 2514 kts
- Windy days
- 2/712 kts or more
- Temperature
- 4–17 °C
Over the next 7 days, Sankt Alban (Ammersee) is forecast for daytime winds of 2–14 kts, peaking around 14 kts on Sunday, October 25 with gusts to 29 kts. The prevailing direction is WSW. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- jetty
- anchored boats
- swimmers
- shallow water shelf
- power lines near parking/access paths
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- Seasonal lifeguard presence is reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Rescue availability is reported as limited; Wasserwacht stations operate around the lake perimeter.
- Emergency Info
- Bavarian Water Rescue (Wasserwacht) is often present near summer weekends; emergency number 112 can be used.
Rules of the spot
Paid access via the Sankt Alban campground; maintain distance from swimming zones in summer. Kitesurfing is strictly prohibited on the entire Ammersee lake.
- Campground entry only.
- No kitesurfing.
- No motorboats without permit.
- Entry only via the Sankt Alban campground (northern edge of town).
- Works best with a strong East wind (Bise/Levante type) or clear Föhn conditions.
- Parking fills up quickly on sunny weekends.
- Very shallow water makes the spot especially suitable for beginners—still be mindful of anchored boats and the jetty.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Diessen am Ammersee
- Nearest Town
- Lachen
- Parking
- Parking available at the campground; paid parking reported at Parkplatz St. Alban (~200 meters from the water).
- Access
- Entry through the public bathing area (Badeplatz St. Alban) or via the adjacent Sankt Alban campground at the northern edge of the town. Parking is available at the campground/paid parking near St. Alban.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- German
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Direct — Campingplatz Dießen-St. Alban is located directly at the spot; guesthouses in Dießen.
- Food & Drink
- Kiosk and restaurant available on-site at the bathing area.
- Equipment Rental:
- Windsurf and SUP rental available at the local surf school; windsurf and SUP rental availability is also referenced in regional context.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Sankt Alban (Ammersee)?
The best overall months at Sankt Alban (Ammersee) are June, July, August. The best wind months are April, May, September, October.
Which wind directions work at Sankt Alban (Ammersee)?
Sankt Alban (Ammersee) works with E, ESE winds.
What equipment sizes are recommended at Sankt Alban (Ammersee)?
Recommended equipment sizes at Sankt Alban (Ammersee): Windsurfing: 5.5–8.5 m² · Wingfoiling: 4–6 m². The typical wind range is 10–25 kts.
What skill level is Sankt Alban (Ammersee) suitable for?
Sankt Alban (Ammersee) suits these riding levels: Windsurfing: Beginner · Wingfoiling: Beginner to Intermediate.